Cuomo to Announce Education Reforms in Address

Gov. Andrew Cuomo will announce Wednesday in his State of the State speech his plans to extend learning time in schools, invest in full-day pre-kindergarten and create a bar-like exam for teachers, according to a news release.

“New York is on its way, coming back stronger than ever before, rising to meet some of the biggest challenges in our history, remaining as a progressive beacon of light to the rest of the nation, and standing out as a model of effective government,” Cuomo said in a statement.

Cuomo is planning to implement several of the Education Reform Commission’s recommendations, presented to him earlier this month. As such, the governor will propose a new competitive grant program to develop initiatives that will improve student achievement, including a plan to extend learning time by at least 25 percent.

Cuomo will pledge to invest in “high-quality, full-day pre-kindergarten, beginning with New York’s highest need students.”

In order to improve the quality of the state’s teachers and principals, Cuomo will announce the creation of a bar-like exam for prospective teachers. Students would need to pass such an exam for certification, just as prospective doctors and lawyers must.

Cuomo will announce that the state will provide incentives for high-performing teachers. “Master teachers” will earn an additional $15,000 annually for four years to teach other teachers.

Additionally, Cuomo will pledge to build community schools in high-need neighborhoods, where students may receive health, employment and other support services, as well as schooling.

Cuomo will also pledge a third round of the NYSUNY2020 initiative, a competitive grant program to fund economic development projects at SUNY colleges and universities.

The speech is under way. For live updates, follow @GannettAlbany, @jessicabakeman and @joncampbellGAN on Twitter.